By Roger White

Landsberg hoping to inspire discussion on mental illness at #sicknotweak event

Mar 15, 2018 | 12:00 PM

Whether it was his nightly anchoring duties on TSN Sports Desk, hosting his popular Off The Record show or his daily morning sports talk show on TSN radio, communicating has always been part of Michael Landsberg’s life.

Today, Landsberg puts those communication skills to use by being the catalyst for the #sicknotweak movement, whose primary purpose is open dialogue about mental illness and help break down the stigma associated with the disease.

Landsberg and other special guests will be at the North Battleford Civic Centre this evening for the event to share their experiences, strength and hopes to the area. 

The city has been rocked by several youth suicides in the past few months, including one youth in the past week. 

Describing his own battle with depression as the worst time of his life, Landsberg shares his personal 20-year-battle with the mental illness whenever he can in the hopes of helping others to start a conversation about their disease.

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“If I can use the words that I’m saying makes a difference to someone’s then how weird is this the worst thing in my life is now the best thing in my life,” he added.  

“It’s not like I come into North Battleford and assume that I have the answers because I don’t,” Landsberg added. “No one associated with #sicknotweak or the group that we have brought in believes that when we leave here your community will be a different place; that mental illness won’t be what it was or that you’ll never have another suicide. We are here because we know the message works.”

Landsberg said that the deeper the person speaking goes to describe his or her illness, the more people bond and feel understood then they will realize that they are not alone and begin talking out their battle.

“We are hoping to make a tiny bit of difference and hopefully a tiny bit of joy to this community as well with the people we will have on stage tonight,” he added.

The veteran broadcaster visited the studios of 93.3 The Rock, Q98 and CJNB this morning to discuss tonight’s event, which features guests CFL great Weston Dressler of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, retired Saskatchewan Roughrider Chris Getzlaf, singer Beverly Mahood, Olympic gold medalist Tessa Bonhomme and a musical performance by Canadian rockers One Bad Son.

All 2,500 advanced seats at the Civic Centre have been claimed for tonight’s event. However, organizers have added an extra 500 seats that are available only on a first-come, first-serve basis. The event is free to attend.

Tonight’s #sicknotweak event at the Civic Centre begins at 6 p.m. and donations will be accepted and will support the Battlefords chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

“It’s a privilege to be here in North Battleford,” Landsberg said. “I’m so impressed with the way tonight’s event is being so warmly received in the community.”

See the full interview of Michael Landsberg on Q98 below.

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @RJWtheReporter